Waterdogs release ‘Ríastrad’, their third single of 2025

The latest Waterdogs single ‘Ríastrad’ is heavy and heady from the opening notes, with driving guitar and impactful drums laying the groundwork for the ever-ethereal vocals of Kat Casey.

Waterdogs release their third single of the year ‘Ríastrad’, following the release of singles ‘Stuck’ and ‘Spiralling’ over recent months

Waterdogs release their third single of the year ‘Ríastrad’, following the release of singles ‘Stuck’ and ‘Spiralling’ over recent months, and ahead of their final release of the summer, coming in August 2025.

Waterdogs is a four-piece Alt-Rock band based in Limerick, Ireland, consisting of Kat Casey (Limerick) (pictured below) on vocals, Aaron Griffin (Limerick) on guitar, Áine Hartnett (Limerick) on bass, and Eoghan Creedon (from Cork, Waterford-based) on drums.

Drawing influence from many genres, the sound is commonly described as ‘90s rock, with tracks varying from intense grunge and blues rock to soft, melodic indie tunes.

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‘Ríastrad’ is heavy and heady from the opening notes, with driving guitar and impactful drums laying the groundwork for the ever-ethereal vocals of Kat Casey. The track is a forceful, angry, and addictive listen, quickening your pulse and pulling you in for more.

Lyrically, the song details the death of Cú Chulainn – the mythological Irish warrior hero – as he lashes himself to a stone while fighting an army from Connacht. The track is named after the term “ríastrad” which refers to the ‘battle frenzy’ or ‘warp spasm’ that Cú Chulainn experiences before or during combat.

Much like intense combat ‘Ríastrad’ wanes and waxes musically as the track reaches its climax and you notice a whispering presence in the background – most noticeable for headphone users. This whisper is drummer Eoghan Creedon saying the words the Morrigan said to Cú Chulainn on their first meeting.

Overall, the track is an intense and passionate dedication to the world of Irish mythology.

Waterdogs’ guitarist and lyricist for ‘Ríastrad’, Aaron Griffin, says: “‘Ríastrad’is a song about the moment of Cú Chulainn dying. I have always been fascinated by this moment in the story as he ties himself to a stone so he can die on his feet and fighting. You’d wonder what went through his head. Did he feel grief for killing his son? Did he remember his first conversation with The Morrigan? We’ve included excerpts from that first conversation found in The Tain within the song.

“This one needed to be heavy, something you could go to battle listening to. Something that would do a story of a warrior justice. I was going to call this song ‘A Hero’s Death’ when I initially wrote it, and use a picture of the statue of Cú Chulainn dying as the cover but Fontaines DC well and truly beat me to that one.”

Waterdogs debut single ‘Stone Driver’ has received approximately 5.5k streams to date on Spotify alone, received radio play though Limerick’s Live95 and Wired FM, landed itself on Hot Press’ New Irish Songs To Hear This Week playlist, and even scored the group an interview with RTÉ. Their second single, ‘Victim (By Choice)’, a groovy, laid back melody with driving drums and a touch of reggae flair, won over another gaggle of fans, earning them radio play, Hot Press features, and more.

Waterdogs are a regular fixture on Rock Radio UK and have earned support slots with the likes of October Drift, Ren Marabou and the Berserkers, The Luminesc, Outsound, and Theatre. The four-piece have also headlined Pharmacia and Fred Zeppelins.